Officials have said that a man and woman were killed in a clothing store in Chicago's Loop area in an apparent murder-suicide while customers shopped.

The Chicago Tribune has reported that the shooting happened Friday at an Old Navy story on State Street when a man walked into the store, allegedly shot his girlfriend then turned the weapon on himself.

Shoppers were unaware of the shooting at first because it took place in the building's basement. Star Walls, 31, was on the third floor buying clothes for her children.

She said, "One of the (store) associates ran past me and told me to drop my bag and run out of the store, so that's what I did. One guy was crying."

The Tribune further said that SWAT team officers stood on State Street with rifles while police began their investigation inside the store and a crowd of several hundred onlookers gathered on the sidewalk.

It was also reported that the identities of the victims, both in their 20s, have not been released. (With Inputs from Agencies)